S.F. Sheriff-elect Mirkarimi faces police probe

Published 4:00 am, Friday, January 6, 2012

Sheriff Mike Hennessey (left) was greeted by incoming Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi at the ceremony to demolish the old San Francisco jail on Wednesday January 4, 2011.

Sheriff Mike Hennessey (left) was greeted by incoming Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi at the ceremony to demolish the old San Francisco jail on Wednesday January 4, 2011.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Sheriff Mike Hennessey announces his endorsement of Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi (left) in his candidacy for Sheriff on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Tuesday, May 3, 2011.

Sheriff Mike Hennessey announces his endorsement of Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi (left) in his candidacy for Sheriff on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Tuesday, May 3, 2011.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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San Francisco's new elected Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi held a press conference at City Hall after being declared the winner Thursday November 10, 2011

San Francisco's new elected Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi held a press conference at City Hall after being declared the winner Thursday November 10, 2011

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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San Francisco's new elected Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi held a press conference with his wife Eliana Lopez at City Hall after being declared the winner Thursday November 10, 2011

San Francisco's new elected Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi held a press conference with his wife Eliana Lopez at City Hall after being declared the winner Thursday November 10, 2011

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Sheriff Mike Hennessey (right) greets Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, his wife Eliana Lopez, and son Theo Mirkarimi before endorsing Mirkarimi in his candidacy for Sheriff in San Francisco, Calif. on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. less

Sheriff Mike Hennessey (right) greets Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, his wife Eliana Lopez, and son Theo Mirkarimi before endorsing Mirkarimi in his candidacy for Sheriff in San Francisco, Calif. on Tuesday, May 3, ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

S.F. Sheriff-elect Mirkarimi faces police probe

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San Francisco Sheriff-elect Ross Mirkarimi is under investigation by San Francisco police after a neighbor called police to report an alleged domestic violence incident involving his wife, Eliana Lopez, a former Venezuelan telenovela star and the mother of his young son.

Mirkarimi, through an intermediary, declined comment, but a source close to the couple tells us they maintain the neighbor overreacted and is misinformed.

According to others familiar with the investigation, Lopez went to a neighbor after the couple got into a heated argument over the New Year's holiday and Lopez confided in her.

The neighbor, in turn, called police, telling them that Lopez had indicated the alleged incident might be part of a larger pattern of abuse.

Sources say police spoke with the neighbor, but when they interviewed Lopez she appeared reluctant to talk.

"The wife doesn't believe what the neighbor said to the police," the source close to the couple said.

One law enforcement official said: "Right now, what we have is a 'maybe.' We got a call from a neighbor about something that may have happened up to a week ago."

In a statement to The Chronicle Thursday night, Lopez said: "What is happening here is wrong. I have absolutely no complaint against my husband. My husband has never been abusive to me. Ross and I are committed to our marriage, our son and our family."

Police are reportedly reinterviewing everyone involved. The district attorney's office has been brought into the case.

Whatever the outcome, the incident comes at an embarrassing time for Mirkarimi, who is to be sworn in Sunday afternoon as San Francisco's sheriff.

Mirkarimi is a former investigator in the D.A.'s office. He was elected supervisor in 2004 to represent the city's District Five and has been among the more progressive voices on the Board of Supervisors.

Mirkarimi met Lopez at an environmental conference in Brazil in 2008. She later moved to San Francisco, where in 2009 she gave birth to their son.

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